Social Media Use Soars as Solomon Islands Youth Go Digital

Young people in the Solomon Islands are playing a major role in a sharp rise in social media use, according to new analysis by DataReportal and Kepios.

The report shows that there were 205,000 active social media user identities in the country by late 2025, equivalent to 24.3% of the total population. Even more striking, social media use jumped by 44,000 users (+27.2%) in just one year.

Young people in Honiara, Solomon Islands undergo training in ditital marketing - photo by E- commerce Implementation Unit, MCILI, Solomon Islands.

For a country with a youthful population, this growth highlights how digital platforms are becoming a central part of everyday life, especially for young people connecting, learning, and building opportunities online.

Youth at the centre of digital growth

The data shows that 204,000 users aged 18 and above were active on social media, representing 42.4% of the adult population. This suggests that young adults are leading the digital shift, using platforms not just for entertainment, but also for education, business, and networking.

Overall, 57.2% of internet users in the Solomon Islands are now on social media—making it a key space for communication and influence.

Facebook still dominates

Among all platforms, Facebook remains the most widely used, with 205,000 users—almost identical to the total number of social media identities.

·       24.3% of the total population is reachable via Facebook

·       42.4% of adults are active on the platform

·       Growth remains steady, with a 27.2% increase over the past year

For many young Solomon Islanders, Facebook continues to be the main platform for staying connected, sharing content, and accessing information.

Instagram rising fast among youth

While Facebook leads, Instagram is growing rapidly, especially among younger users.

·       29,000 users in late 2025

·       Massive 73.9% growth year-on-year

·       Higher female usage (53.7% female vs 44.5% male)

This trend reflects a shift toward more visual, lifestyle-driven content—popular among youth audiences.

LinkedIn opens doors for careers

Professional platform LinkedIn recorded 33,000 users, offering new pathways for young people to connect with employers and explore career opportunities.

·       Reaches 6.8% of adults

·       Stronger male presence (63.9% male users)

As more youth enter the workforce, platforms like LinkedIn could become increasingly important for skills development and job access.

Messaging still matters

Messenger continues to play a key role in daily communication:

·       Reaches 22% of internet users

·       Used by 16.4% of adults

For many young people, messaging apps remain essential for staying in touch with friends, family, and communities.

Smaller platforms, niche audiences

Other platforms such as Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) have relatively small user bases in the Solomon Islands:

·       Reddit: 3,750 users (0.4% of population)

·       X: 2,316 users (0.3% of population)

However, these platforms still attract niche audiences, including youth interested in global conversations and trends.

What this means for young Solomon Islanders

The rapid growth of social media presents both opportunities and challenges for youth:

Opportunities

·       Access to information and learning resources

·       Digital entrepreneurship and online businesses

·       Networking and career development

·       Creative expression and storytelling

Challenges

·       Managing misinformation

·       Online safety and privacy risks

·       Digital wellbeing and screen time balance

·       A digital future shaped by youth

As social media continues to expand, young people in the Solomon Islands are not just users—they are drivers of digital change. From content creation to online businesses, youth are shaping how the country connects, communicates, and grows in the digital age.

With usage set to rise even further, the focus now turns to how this growing digital community can be supported to use social media safely, creatively, and productively.